Temperatures are beginning to rise (have you seen the forecast for this weekend!). It is time to make sure your vehicle’s Air Conditioning is working correctly. If not, the friendly staff at Wayne’s Automotive Center can perform a car air conditioning service to keep you cool. If the system is blowing cold air and is quiet, you can stop reading this article now. You are good to go. Most individuals like to get a good sweat working out in the gym, but not in your vehicle. When Reno and Sparks residents’ vehicle AC Systems have an issue, they’ll often notice it quickly. But, how long do you put up with it? You know, the old comfort versus cost dilemma. But a more comfortable drive around NV has a lot of benefits, and keeping the AC System well maintained can help prevent repairs.
COMMON CAUSES OF CAR AC SYSTEM FAILURE
Water and air in an AC system is a little-known cause of failure. The system will not function properly with air in it. And water can cause rust that leads to damage to the A/C parts. Also, refrigerant, the gas that makes the air cold, can leak out. Leaking coolant can reduce performance and make the system work harder to try to chill the air. If the AC system is blowing warm or just slightly cool air, your AC system has probably lost some of the refrigerants over time (this is normal) and needs to be leak checked and have refrigerants added.
TYPES OF AIR CONDITIONING CAR REFRIGERANTS
R-12 Refrigerant was the standard for years but has been phased out since the mid-1990’s because it damages the earth’s ozone layer. There is very little R12 available in the U.S. Consequently if you have an older vehicle that still uses R-12, it is costly to recharge. Also, it can be challenging to find a shop that still has R-12. Most older cars can have the AC system changed to use the current standard refrigerant called R134A.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING AN AC SERVICE
For a typical AC service, we have a machine that will evacuate the R134A from the AC system and place a vacuum on the system for 40 minutes so leaks can be detected. If the AC system does not appear to be leaking, we will recharge the system with the proper amount of refrigerant. Please note that overcharging the system may damage the AC system and will result in warm air coming out of the vents.
We will also typically add a dye to the refrigerant in case the vacuum test cannot detect any small leaks. If the AC system does have a small hole the color, which is visible using a black light, will show the location of the leak.
For a typical AC service, we have a machine that will evacuate the R134A from the AC system and place a vacuum on the system for 40 minutes so leaks can be detected. If the AC system does not appear to be leaking, we will recharge the system with the proper amount of refrigerant. Please note that overcharging the system may damage the AC system and will result in warm air coming out of the vents.
CAN I DO MY OWN CAR AIR CONDITIONING WORK?
You can buy R134A recharge kits at auto parts stores. Be aware that these kits do not detect any leaks you may have and are not very precise it adding the correct amount of refrigerant. Also, note that R134A refrigerant needs to be handled with care as it can cause frostbite on the skin and loss of sight if exposed to the eyes.
WAYNE’S AUTOMOTIVE – EXPERTS IN VEHICLE AC SERVICES
Reno and Sparks drivers should also run the air conditioner periodically, even in the winter. This practice lubricates the seals and prevents them from drying out. The seals can split, and that leads to leaks in the system. You can always find recommendations on when to service your AC system in your vehicle’s owner’s manual. Wayne’s will also have information about recommended schedules for your make and model. Your friendly and knowledgeable Waynes Automotive Center service advisor can give you more information.
If you are looking for Auto or Diesel Service Reno NV, please contact us at Wayne’s Automotive Center (775) 356-6996.